Gimme Some Truth: The Making of John Lennon's Imagine Album (2000)
An instant classic when released in September 1971, John Lennon's Imagine was the ex-Beatle's solo masterpiece, and its musical legacy is matched here by priceless footage of Lennon's creative process, independently edited from original 16-millimeter footage by producer-director Andrew Solt with the hands-off approval of Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. Incorporating footage from John and Yoko's original film Imagine (clips of which were previously included in the 1988 documentary Imagine: John Lennon), Gimme Some Truth presents Lennon, Ono, coproducer Phil Spector, and a host of gifted musicians in a fluid context of conflict, community, and craftsmanship. Bearing witness to every stage of the recording process, this 63-minute documentary succeeds as a visual diary, a study of familiar music in its infancy, and a revealing portrait of the then-30-year-old Lennon--from witty clown to confrontational perfectionist--at the peak of his post-Fab Four inspiration.
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Such a frustrating disappointment
I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.
Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
It's hard to argue with the other reviewers who say that there is too much Yoko Ono; however, I think that it shows just how pervasive her influence was. Whether one sees her as a Machiavellian Lady Macbeth (to mix two classical examples), or a true artist with a powerful vision, or something in between, she certainly made sure her influence on a willing Lennon was felt. Lennon is clearly devoted to her, for good or bad, and if it was she who broke up the Beatles, it is not hard to see why.The two most interesting scenes are the one where the stranger claims all Lennon's songs are about him: Lennon says, 'How could they be'? The shot of the face of the disillusioned fan is worthwhile. The other interesting scene is that of Lennon showing George Harrison (perhaps I should have prefaced that with 'the late')'How do you sleep', which clearly shows it to be about McCartney. Harrison is a willing conspirator, which breaks the legend down a little.Long and rambling, yet gripping, it is no 'End of the Century: The Ramones, or even 'Some Kind of Monster', but it is certainly worth watching. I gave it 7/10
This is perhaps the best rockumentary ever. The only bad thing about it, is Yoko Ono's influence on the movie, as executive producer. She appears in almost every scene for god's sake. People who watch this movie watches it for him not her. But I didn't write this comment to trash the movie, so let's have a look on the good things about it. The most important thing in this flick is the man himself, John Lennon. And in this movie you really get under his skin. You see (and hear) his feelings about Paul McCartney, you see his attitude towards his fans (even the ones of them that's nuts) and you you see... a lot of Yoko Ono.Let me wrap this comment up by saying, that I gave this movie a "9", and I think, that You should to. It's a great peace of history that we (the public) never before have been allowed to see.P.S. Make love not war.
I was too young to experience The Beatles and too young for Lennon's solo career. All of my life I have heard what an incredible artist Lennon was. I never appreciated Lennon or his music until I saw this film. Bravo ! Lennon has been discovered by a new generation. This film has given me an appreciation of the man that millions worldwide knew so well.
This is far superior to IMAGINE:JOHN LENNON which also used footage from Yoko Ono's personal archives. It follows the making of Lennon's classic album, 'Imagine', and we are given insight both into his impatient but passionate recording processes, and also into the man himself and his relationship with Yoko. Seeing the succession of fantastic tracks being laid down with the likes of George Harrison and Klaus Voorman is engrossing, but the most presciently ghoulish episode concerns a bedraggled and disturbed fan turning up on Lennon's doorstep and insisting that all the Beatles songs were written specifically with him in mind (Lennon tries to reason with him then invites him in for a meal). An engaging delve into popular music's past and the work of a genius.